An aggressive ride from Jack Hill proved a winning tactic on Prince Ziggy who scored at Wangaratta on Monday.
Hill, who only resumed riding nine days ago after a fall at Wodonga in May, took advice on race morning from regular jockey Craig Robertson who forfeited the mount on the five-year-old because of illness.
“Robbo rang me this morning and gave me a little bit of advice how to ride him and it paid off,” Jack said.
Hill urged Prince Ziggy from the gates and after being caught three-wide without cover early pressed on to settle second behind the free-going Franquin.
Hill said he was determined to keep Prince Ziggy focused close to the lead as he’d had a tendency settle back and go to sleep in his races.
“He travelled up really good and getting to the corner I thought ‘don’t go’ because might be vulnerable late, but when I gave him a squeeze he picked up and found a bit more.”
Prince Ziggy hit the front on the home turn and kept finding under pressure to hold off Raiding Party by a half-length in the Ovens Ford Melb Cup Day BM58 Hcp (2000m).
Trainer Jamie Edwards said he had recently changed Prince Ziggy’s training program to help him race more genuinely.
“We have given him bit of a stir up at home with short, sharp work it has worked.”
Jack Hill has had a long association with Emsley Lodge and ridden many winners for Jamie who was thrilled that Prince Ziggy was able to get the popular 27-year-old jockey back in the winner’s enclosure.
“Bloody good on him,” Jamie said. “That’s his first winner back and I’m very happy it was for us.”